The OG R&R was really good. I still enjoy their other locations. I used to love SugarHouse BBQ, but I'm not sure how it's stood the test of time. I only tried Pat's once and wasn't blown away. Smokin' Bones in Bountiful was decent. I've only tried the pork nachos and a few ribs at Bam Bam's so that doesn't really give you a true taste test, but I liked it a lot. Have you ever tried 5 Star BBQ? Their meats are really good and they have the best sides in the state, from what I've tried.

I think Utah's BBQ scene is as good as the mid-tier spots in traditional BBQ locales. I think the original R&R and 5 Star would do very well on Beale Street or in Austin, etc.

My favorite spot might be Central BBQ in Memphis. I like it better than Rendezvous. I've had memorable meals at some other joints on Beale Street, too, like 2 a.m. ribs to die for at Blues City Cafe. I swear the ambiance can make things taste better, too. There's a great spot in Dallas called Pecan Lodge that is fantastic. I've had Salt Lick at the Austin airport but not at the original location, so it was good but probably not as good as the real stuff. I really liked Cooper's Old-Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Austin, SugarFire Smoke House in St. Louis, The Pit in Raleigh, N.C., and Midwood and the Bar-B-Q King in Charlotte (cheap and tasty).

I'd love to return to an absolute hole in the wall I ate at in Hutchinson, Kansas, called Roy's Hickory Pit BBQ to see if the brisket and ribs there are as good as I remember them being 25 years ago. I just remember if you get there too late at lunch you were in trouble because the place closed when the meat ran out.

Funny that San Antonio tops the list. I associate San Antonio with outstanding Tex-Mex and steakhouses, but not BBQ. In fact, I tried the popular chain there — Bill Miller BBQ — and was less than impressed. I'd pick Dickey's or Famous Dave's over it.

Fun debate!

(I used travel for work as a sports writer. Getting a chance to try the food in a bunch of places around the country was a big highlight.)